Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/epidemiology* ; Liver Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Prothrombin ; Biomarkers

INTRODUCTION: Uterine rupture is uncommon but has catastrophic implications on the pregnancy. A scarred uterus and abnormal placentation are known contributory factors. The aim of our study was to review the contributing factors, clinical presentation, complications and management of uterine rupture in our population in light of the changing nature of modern obstetric practices. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted at KK Women's and Children's Hospital by studying proven cases of uterine rupture in the period between January 2003 and December 2014. These cases were analysed according to their past history, clinical presentation, complications, management and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 48 cases of proven uterine rupture were identified. The incidence of uterine rupture was 1 in 3,062 deliveries. The ratio of scarred uterus rupture to unscarred uterus rupture was approximately 3:1. The most common factor was previous lower segment caesarean section for the scarred group, followed by a history of laparoscopic myomectomy. Abdominal pain was the common clinical presentation in the antenatal period, while abnormal cardiotocography findings were the most common presentation in intrapartum rupture. CONCLUSION There is a notable shift in the trend of uterine rupture cases given the increasing use of laparoscopic myomectomy and elective caesarean sections. While ruptures from these cases were few, their presentation in the antenatal period calls for diligent monitoring with informed patient involvement in their pregnancy care.

Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors

INTRODUCTION: Singapore has the world's second most efficient healthcare system while costing less than 5% GDP. It remains unclear whether transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is cost-effective for treating intermediate-low risk severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients in a highly efficient healthcare system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A two-phase economic model combining decision tree and Markov model was developed to assess the costs, effectiveness, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of transfemoral (TF) TAVI versus surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in intermediate-low risk patients over an 8-year time horizon. Mortality and complications rates were based on PARTNER 2 trial cohort A and Singapore life table. Costs were mainly retrieved from Singapore National University Health System database. Health utility data were obtained from Singapore population based on the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). A variety of sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: In base case scenario, the incremental effectiveness of TF-TAVI versus SAVR was 0.19 QALYs. The ICER of TF-TAVI was S$33,833/QALY. When time horizon was reduced to 5 years, the ICER was S$60,825/QALY; when event rates from the propensity analysis was used, the ICER was S$21,732/QALY and S$44,598/QALY over 8-year and 5-year time horizons, respectively. At a willingness to pay threshold of S$73,167/QALY, TF-TAVI had a 98.19% probability of being cost-effective after 100,000 simulations. The model was the most sensitive to the costs of TF-TAVI procedure. CONCLUSION TF-TAVI is a highly cost-effective option compared to SAVR for intermediate-low risk severe AS patients from a Singapore healthcare system perspective. Increased procedure experience, reduction in device cost, and technology advance may have further increased the cost-effectiveness of TF-TAVI per scenario analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Expectant mothers may appear anxious even during healthy pregnancies. Unfortunately, little is known about antenatal anxiety, and affected women may remain undetected and untreated. This study aimed to examine the prevalence, incidence, course and associations of high state anxiety in routine obstetric care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational prospective cohort study at a large maternity unit. Obstetric outpatients with low-risk singleton pregnancies were recruited during first trimester consultations. Participants provided sociodemographic data and completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The STAI was re-administered at each subsequent trimester. RESULTS: Prevalence and incidence of  high state anxiety among 634 completers were 29.5% (95% CI 25.6%-33.6%) and 13.9% (95% CI 9.9%-18.0%), respectively. Anxiety was persistent in 17.0% (95% CI 14.3%-20.2%) and transient in 26.3% (95% CI 23.1%-29.9%). Only persistently anxious participants had high mean second trimester state anxiety scores. Odds for anxiety of greater persistence increased by 29% (95% CI 24%-35%) per 1-point increase in first trimester depression scores, and decreased by 36% (95% CI 7%-56%) with tertiary education. CONCLUSION Antenatal anxiety symptoms are common even in normal pregnancies, especially among women with depression and lower education. Our study indicates value in exploring diagnostic criteria and quantitative measures for antenatal anxiety.
Adult ; Anxiety Disorders ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Confidence Intervals ; Depressive Disorder ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Severity of Illness Index ; Singapore

INTRODUCTIONLow birth weight (LBW, <2500 g) is an important risk factor for perinatal mortality and morbidity. We performed the first geospatial study of LBW in Singapore, with focus on the public sector and analysis of the national planning areas.

MATERIALS AND METHODSA dataset of 24,615 singleton deliveries from 2012 to 2014 was obtained from the largest maternity hospital in Singapore. Maternal residences were identified with 28 planning areas according to postal code. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine associations between LBW rates and planning areas. Moran's I statistic was used to test for geospatial clustering of LBW rates among planning areas.

RESULTSThe LBW rate across planning areas ranged from 5.3 to 11.5 per 100 live births (median, 8.4). High LBW rates were associated with: 1) a lower individual socioeconomic status, 2) non-compliance to antenatal visits, and 3) biological factors such as maternal hypertension, low body mass index and Indian race. Moran's statistic indicated no geospatial clustering of LBW rates among the 28 planning areas ( = 0.12). LBW rates were moderately correlated with the Socioeconomic Disadvantage Index (r = 0.58) but uncorrelated with distance travelled to hospital (r = -0.08).

CONCLUSIONThere was no evidence of clustering of LBW rates among planning areas in Singapore that would indicate inequitable distribution of health resources among planning areas. The 2 areas showing the highest rates of LBW infants were Outram and Bukit Merah. We recommend targeted health interventions and outreach programmes to encourage antenatal visits in these areas.

INTRODUCTIONEvidence has shown that balloon catheters are as effective as prostaglandins (PGE) in achieving vaginal delivery within 24 hours of the start of induction of labour (IOL), with lower rates of uterine hyperstimulation, and similar Caesarean section and infection rates. International guidelines recommend mechanical methods as a method of IOL. We designed a prospective randomised controlled study to evaluate patient acceptance of the cervical ripening balloon (CRB) for IOL.

METHODSSuitable women with a singleton term pregnancy without major fetal anomaly suitable for vaginal delivery were recruited and randomised to receive the CRB or PGE on the day of IOL. Characteristics of the women, labour and birth outcomes were obtained from case notes. Pain and satisfaction scores were obtained by interviewing the women at IOL and after delivery. The main outcome measures were participant characteristics, labour and birth outcomes, pain score, satisfaction scores, and whether the participant would recommend the mode of IOL.

RESULTSThere was no difference in the pain score between the two groups at the start of IOL, but thereafter, pain scores were lower in the CRB group compared to the PGE group (4.5 ± 2.3 vs. 5.6 ± 2.4, p = 0.044). Women were equally satisfied with both methods and equally likely to recommend their method for IOL.

CONCLUSIONPatient experience of IOL with CRB or PGE was equally satisfactory, although pain during induction was lower in the CRB group. We found that both methods of IOL are acceptable to women and should be made available to provide more options.

INTRODUCTIONTwin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is the most common serious complication of monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies, with perinatal mortality rates of up to 90% if untreated. This study aimed to review the perinatal and perioperative outcomes of MC twin pregnancies treated for TTTS by fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) since its introduction at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), Singapore, in 2011.

METHODSThis was a retrospective review of five consecutive patients who underwent FLP of placental anastomoses for TTTS at KKH from June 2011 to March 2014. FLP was offered to patients who were diagnosed with TTTS of at least Quintero Stage II before 26 weeks of gestation. The main outcome measures were perioperative complications and perinatal survival rates.

RESULTSFive sets of MC twin pregnancies underwent FLP during the study period - three pregnancies were diagnosed with Stage III TTTS and two pregnancies with Stage II TTTS. Median gestational ages at initial presentation, laser photocoagulation and delivery were 19 (range 17-20) weeks, 20 (range 19-23) weeks and 29 (range 28-34) weeks, respectively. One patient had bleeding into the amniotic cavity intraprocedurally. Overall, the perinatal survival rate, double-infant survival rate and survival rate for at least one twin were 60% (6/10 fetuses), 40% (2/5 twins) and 80% (4/5 twins), respectively.

CONCLUSIONFLP is a feasible treatment for TTTS, with minimal maternal complications. Perinatal survival rates of this patient group that was managed at our centre were comparable to those of international centres.

INTRODUCTIONWith the global outbreak of Zika virus and its association with microcephaly, an up-to-date fetal head circumference (HC) nomogram is crucial to offer a reference standard in order to make an accurate diagnosis. This study was conducted to revise the local fetal HC nomogram.

MATERIALS AND METHODSIn this retrospective study, ultrasound data was used for construction of the fetal HC nomogram from a total of 6155 pregnancies in the ethnic Chinese population with low risk profile at KK Women's and Children's Hospital over a 10-year period. Regression model was fitted to calculate the mean and standard deviation of HC at each gestational age (GA). Comparison of HC between ethnic groups (no significant differences) and genders were made. The revised chart was compared with another commonly used reference chart (Hadlock). In an independent test population, different reference charts were used to estimate number of cases with microcephaly.

RESULTSA statistically significant difference of HC between the genders was observed across all gestational ages. Gender-specific reference charts and equation were computed. Our revised fetal HC chart showed a different distribution from the Hadlock chart. Compared with the gender-specific charts, the Hadlock HC chart would significantly under-report microcephaly cases in male fetuses, and tend to over-report in female fetuses.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides a new set of gender-specific fetal HC charts in the Singaporean population for antenatal ultrasound surveillance of microcephaly.